Coach Sandro Schwarz has to go into the relegation battle with Hertha.Image: imago / Jan Huebner
Bundesliga
In the second half of the season, Hertha BSC expects the same thing as in previous years: the fight to stay up. However, while this has meant a reality check in the last two seasons – and the Berliners have had to blame themselves for starting the season with exaggerated expectations – the club is prepared this time.
Because Hertha were unprepared for the relegation battle last year, firefighter Felix Magath was brought in for a lot of money in the second half of the season.Image: imago images / Eibner
“We will do everything we can to end the round in May this season and not in June,” said club president Kay Bernstein recently. Means: This time the relegation should succeed without a relegation game. Hertha would have to defend at least 15th place from the winter break for this.
Hertha fuels confidence in Florida – Kanga big winner
The Hertha bosses are confident that this will work. The atmosphere in the team is also good after the training camp in Florida. However, not because the seriousness of the situation is underestimated, as coach Sandro Schwarz emphasizes: “We are aware of the table region we are in.”
Sandro Schwarz was aware when he took office that Hertha would not be playing for a place in the European Cup. Image: imago / Contrast
According to the table region, the team in Florida was drilled for fitness and willingness to run. “We made a very good impression, especially when it came to the physical components,” Schwarz says with satisfaction. In addition, the 44-year-old has worked with his team to open the game in order to be more productive in attack.
In the USA friendlies, Hertha recorded three wins and one draw against smaller opponents, with a goal difference of 19:3. “There were a lot of good things. The transition game in particular was very good,” says managing director Fredi Bobic, summing up the friendly games.
“Above all, our attacking players have scored a lot, which is very important for their self-confidence”, Bobic knows. The offensive has been shockingly harmless in the league so far: only 19 goals have been scored in 15 Bundesliga games.
Symbolic of this is Wilfried Kanga: The 24-year-old center forward came from Young Boys Bern for four million euros in the summer, but has only been able to contribute two competitive goals so far. He was used twice in the tests in America, scored four times and is considered a big winner in preparation.
Kanga scored 1-0 against Cologne on matchday 15.Image: www.imago-images.de / Matthias Koch
Austerity course on the transfer market, high earners should go
The fact that captain Marvin Plattenhardt was denied entry to the USA due to a lack of Covid vaccination (which is why he had to train with the U23s for eleven days) dampens the mood a bit. Hertha’s top assist provider, Chidera Ejuke, also injured his knee, and the 25-year-old will probably be out for several weeks.
Chidera Ejuke played all 15 Bundesliga games before the winter break. He will miss the next games due to injury. Image: dpa / Tom Weller
There will not be many reinforcements due to the austerity course announced by Bobic and the recent extremely poor business figures (loss of EUR 79.75 million in the 21/22 season). The transfer of Florian Niederlechner (Augsburg) should actually only take place in the summer. But FCA quickly found a replacement and the clubs agreed on a transfer fee of 500,000 euros. So the attacker is already chasing goals for Hertha in the second half of the season. Fabian Reese (Kiel) has also been confirmed as a new signing for the summer.
Instead, Bobic wants to slim down the squad and get rid of high earners. The “Bild” had recently published an alleged hit list of the managing director, according to which 20 professionals can go.
The Hertha boss has now found buyers for Davie Selke (1. FC Köln) and Vladimir Darida (Aris Saloniki). The club does not collect a fee in either case; Bobic was probably happy to get the players off the payroll at all.
Davie Selke is said to have earned up to four million euros a year at Hertha.Image: imago / Beautiful Sports
Hertha boss Bernstein: “Performances didn’t match the point average”
Without expensive newcomers, staying up in the league must be possible with the existing staff. In contrast to previous years – when the team always seemed to be a motley crew – there is now at least a solid team core: A total of eight players have played in at least 13 of the 15 Bundesliga games to date. The relegation battle will also weigh on their shoulders.
Dodi Lukebakio was already sorted out in 2021. Now he’s back and one of the top performers.Image: www.imago-images.de / HMB Media
In addition, the club management sees signs that Hertha sold below value in the fall. “The performance didn’t match the point average,” explains Bernstein. In other words: Hertha only scored 14 points in 15 games, but had their chances in every game and never let themselves be shot down.
Especially in direct comparison with other relegation candidates like Augsburg (2:0), Schalke (2:1) and Cologne (2:0), the Berliners fulfilled their duties.
Hertha are now starting the second half of the season with a groundbreaking “six-point game”: On Saturday (3.30 p.m.) the old lady will visit VfL Bochum. If Hertha wins, the Berliners have a few points to lose. If Hertha loses, Bochum passes and Hertha slips into the role of pursuer.
There is currently a lot of movement in the squad at Borussia Mönchengladbach. At the end of the season, the contracts of five top performers expire. Marcus Thuram, Ramy Bensebaini, Yann Sommer, Lars Stindl and Tony Jantschke could go on a free transfer in the summer. It goes without saying that this cannot be in the interest of the club. Julian Weigl’s loan from Benfica Lisbon is also coming to an end.
